Julius Awah Ndukum
J. Vet. Res. Adv., 07 (01):01-20
Julius Awah Ndukum: COLTECH, UBA, Cameroon
Article History: Received on: 09-Dec-24, Accepted on: 11-Apr-25, Published on: 19-Apr-25
Corresponding Author: Julius Awah Ndukum
Email: awahndukum@yahoo.co.uk
Citation: Lawan PY, Komtangi MC and Ndukum JA (2025). Morphological characterisation of Cysticercus tenuicollis (Taenia hydatigena cysts) in sheep and goat slaughtered in Bamenda municipality, Cameroon. J. Vet. Res. Adv., 07 (01):01-20
Aim:
Purpose of the study was to determine and do comparative analysis of the
morphological criteria of Cysticercus
tenuicollis in sheep and goat in the
Northwest region of Cameroon.
Method
and materials: The visceral organs of 1106 slaughtered small
ruminants (613 goats; 493 sheep) were examined for the presence of C.
tenuicollis. Morphometric identification and morphological criteria
(number, sizes, weights and locations of cysts; colour and volume of cystic
fluid; scolex structure; and shape and arrangements of rostellar hooks) of
cysts isolated from 380 small ruminants (160 sheep; 220 goats) was performed
following standard procedures.
Results:
The overall prevalence of C. tenuicollis infection in small ruminants was 34.36% (35.89 %
goats; 32.45 % sheep) which was influenced (p<0.05) by season, physiological
(pregnant or lactating) status and location of the animal. The proportions of
infected animals with a single organ affected and harbouring 1 – 2 cysts were
significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to those with double and multiple (≥
3) organs affected and harbouring 3 and ≥ 4 cysts. The isolated cysts were
predominantly (p<0.05) fertile and contained clear cystic fluid; and varied
in sizes of cyst and cystic fluid colour. The results showed the scolex with
four (4) suckers and mean hooks per cysts of 16.52 ± 14.11 with long and short
hooks arranged in alternate rows. Overall, most cysts were medium-sized
(46.05%) followed by small- (36.32%), and large-sized (11.05%). Location, sex,
age and weight of animals and season significantly (p<0.05) influenced the
fluid volume. Species, sex, age and weight of animals and physiological status
of females and season, number of organs and number of cysts per animal significantly
(p≤0.05) influenced the size and hook characteristics of cysts in infected
animal in this study.
Conclusion: It was concluded
that cyst sizes, cyst fluid volumes and
distribution of cysts on affected animals were influenced by the intrinsic (species,
sex, physiological status of females, age, body condition score and weight of
animal) and extrinsic (location, season) factors studied. Further
parasitological research should be conducted to evaluate the epidemiology,
haemato-biochemical, molecular and economic impacts of Taenia hydatigena Cysticercosis
(C. tenuicollis) in other livestock
species.
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